Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional in 10 Minutes

By Dorothy Burke and Jane Calabria

• Table of Contents
  • Copyright
  • Tell Us What You Think!
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • Conventions Used in This Book
  • Lesson 1. Navigating Windows 2000 Professional
    • What Is Windows 2000 Professional?
    • Starting Windows 2000
    • Understanding the Windows Desktop
    • Using the Mouse
    • Using the Start Button
    • Using the Taskbar
    • Shutting Down Windows 2000 Professional
  • Lesson 2. Working with a Window
  • Lesson 3. Using Menus
  • Lesson 4. Using Windows 2000 Professional Help
  • Lesson 5. Using Dialog Boxes
  • Lesson 6. Working with Multiple Windows and Applications
  • Lesson 7. Copying, Moving, and Linking Between Windows and Applications
  • Lesson 8. Using My Computer
  • Lesson 9. Managing Files with My Computer
  • Lesson 10. Using WordPad
  • Lesson 11. Understanding File Properties and the Recycle Bin
  • Lesson 12. Printing
  • Lesson 13. Using My Network Places
  • Lesson 14. Using the Control Panel
  • Lesson 15. Using Outlook Express Mail
  • Lesson 16. Sharing Workstations and Setting Passwords
  • Lesson 17. Using Internet Explorer 5
  • Lesson 18. Web Site and Document Searching
  • Lesson 19. Troubleshooting, Restarting, and Disaster Planning
  • Lesson 20. Customizing the Windows 2000 Environment

Using the Taskbar

In addition to the Start button, the taskbar contains a Quick Launch toolbar as shown in Figure 1.3. The Quick Launch toolbar contains three items which act as shortcuts eliminating the need to use the Start menu to launch programs or to create shortcuts on your desktop:

Figure 1.3 The Quick Launch toolbar can launch Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, or it can be used to minimize all open windows and programs.

• Show Desktop: Minimizes all open programs and windows. Once clicked, the button remains depressed. Click the depressed button to restore all windows and programs.
• Launch Internet Explorer Browser: Launches Internet Explorer.
• Launch Outlook Express: Launches Outlook Express.

The taskbar also displays buttons representing open windows and applications. You can quickly switch between open windows by clicking the button on the taskbar. Figure 1.4 shows the taskbar with two buttons representing open and minimized programs—Microsoft WordPad and Solitaire.

Figure 1.4 Open and minimized windows are represented on the taskbar by buttons and the window's name.

You can move the taskbar to the top, left, or right side of the screen to customize your workspace. Additionally, you can hide the taskbar until you need it.

To move the taskbar, click the mouse anywhere on the bar—except on a button—and drag the taskbar to the right, the left, or the top of the screen. As you drag, the taskbar relocates to that area. You can easily drag the taskbar back to the bottom if you prefer it there.

To hide the taskbar, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button.
2. From the Start menu, click Settings and then click Taskbar and Start Menu .
3. Choose the Auto Hide check box by clicking that box; then press Enter or click OK to close the dialog box. The taskbar slides off of the screen.

When you need to view the taskbar again, move the mouse to where the taskbar last appeared; you may have to slide the mouse off of the screen. The taskbar reappears.

To show the taskbar all the time, click Start , Settings , Taskbar and Start Menu and click the Auto Hide check box so no check mark appears. Press Enter to close the dialog box. For more on working with the taskbar, see Lesson 20, "Customizing the Windows 20000 Professional."

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